Eye aspirating device &amp; method of use

ABSTRACT

An aspirating device for an eye includes a tubular member having a predetermined length that enables the tubular member to fit into an open eye and to rest on the surface of the eyeball adjacent one of the eyelids. The tubular member has one or a plurality of spaced openings therein along its length that allow liquid on the surface of the eyeball to be drawn into the tubular member upon the application of suction to the tubular member.

DEFINITIONS

[0001] The words “comprising,” “having,” and “including,” and otherforms thereof, are intended to be equivalent in meaning and be openended in that an item or items following any one of these words is notmeant to be an exhaustive listing of such item or items, or meant to belimited to only the listed item or items.

RELATED INVENTION DISCLOSURE DOCUMENT

[0002] This application is a utility patent application for an inventiondisclosed in Disclosure Document No. 471949, entitled “John-AspiratingRing,” received by the United States Patent & Trademark Office on Apr.6, 2000. This Disclosure Document No. 471949 is incorporated herein byreference and made a part of this application. If any conflict arisesbetween the disclosure of the invention in this utility application andthat in the related Disclosure Document No. 471949, the disclosure inthis utility application shall govern. Moreover, the inventorincorporates herein by reference any and all U.S. patents, U.S. patentapplications, and other documents cited or referred to in thisapplication or cited or referred to in the U.S. patents and U.S. patentapplications incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0003] During the course of eye surgery, blood collects on the surfaceof the eye. Typically, triangular cotton swabs are used to soak up thisblood and other liquids used to wash the eye during the surgery.Frequently a pool of liquid forms on the eye's surface that is difficultto remove quickly using cotton swabs. This problem occurs in many typesof surgery such as, for example, when implanting an interocular lens orusing lasers. It is particularly acute when the patient has very deepeye sockets. Moreover, the use of the cotton swabs frequently interfereswith the view of the surgeon as he or she looks through a microscopeinto the open eye while conducting the surgery. Pooling of liquids onthe eye causes poor visualization and makes eye surgery very difficultto perform effectively in a timely fashion. Such pooling alters thedepth perception of the surgeon and this can cause potentialcomplications or errors during surgery.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] This invention, with its several desirable features, issummarized in the CLAIMS that follow. After reading the followingsection entitled “DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THISINVENTION,” one will understand how the features of this inventionprovide its benefits, which include, but are not limited to: theprovision of a low cost, easy to use, disposable eye aspirating devicethat eliminates pooling of liquids on the eyeball surface during surgeryto provide an optimal view of the surgical field.

[0005] The aspirating device of this invention is designed to removeliquid from the surface of an eyeball of a patient with the eyelids ofthe patient open. Without limiting the scope of this invention asexpressed by the claims that follow, some, but not all, of its featuresare:

[0006] One feature of the aspirating device of this invention is that itincludes a tubular member having a predetermined length that enables thetubular member to fit into the open eye and to rest on the surface ofthe eyeball adjacent one of the eyelids. It is made of a flexibleplastic tube, for example silicone plastic, having an inside diameter offrom about 0.305 to about 0.325 millimeter (mm) and an outside diameterof from about 0.635 to about 0.655 mm. Consequently, the surgeon is ableto manipulate and easily bend the tubular member to conform its shape tothat of the curvature of the edge of the eyelid against which the memberis placed. The tubular member has an overall length that issubstantially equal to the width (horizontal length with patientstanding) of the eye of the patient, typically from about 1 to about 1.5inches. It comprises a flexible plastic tube, for example siliconeplastic, preferably having an inside diameter of from about 0.305 mm toabout 0.325 mm and an outside diameter of from about 0.635 mm to about0.855 mm.

[0007] A second feature is that the tubular member has at least oneopening, and preferably a plurality of spaced openings therein along itslength. These openings allow liquid on the surface of the eyeball to bedrawn into the tubular member upon the application of suction to thetubular member. Preferably, the spaced openings each have a diameter offrom about 0.15 mm to about 0.18 mm and the number of openings istypically from about 2 to about 3 per centimeters (cm). These openingare usually about equally spaced apart, and they preferably face inwardtowards the cornea of the eye upon placement of the tubular member onthe surface of the eyeball outside the surgical field avoidinginterference with the surgeon's view. The opening may, however, point inother directions than towards the cornea of the eye.

[0008] In one embodiment, the tubular member is looped or oval in shape.The looped tubular member encircles a cornea of the eye and a portion ofthe eyeball surface surrounding the cornea. Typically, the loopedtubular member has a circumference of from about 6 cm to about 7.5 cm.In one embodiment, the looped tubular member has a substantially flatside and a concave side having the openings therein. The flat side isespecially adapted to rest on the surface of the eyeball. In anotherembodiment, the tubular member has a pair of branch tubes. The length ofeach tubular branch is substantially equal to the width of the eye ofthe patient. Preferably, each tubular branch is from about 1 to about 2inches in length and has an inside diameter of from about 0.305 to about0.325 mm and an outside diameter of from about 0.635 to about 0.655 mm.The spaced openings in each tubular branch preferably face inwardtowards the cornea of the eye upon placement of the device on thesurface of the eyeball, but they point in other directions than towardsthe cornea of the eye. The tubular branches are connected to theextension tube to form a substantially Y configuration.

[0009] A third feature is an extension tube connected to the tubularmember. This extension tube has a first end to be placed incommunication with a source of suction and a second end attached to thetubular member to enable liquid drawn into the tubular member upon theapplication of suction to flow from the tubular member and through theextension tube. The extension tube comprises a flexible plastic tube,for example silicone plastic, having a length of from about 120 cm toabout 180 cm.

[0010] A fourth feature is a holding chamber in communication with thesource of suction. The source of the suction applies enough suction tosuck any liquid on the eyeball surface during surgery so that thesurgeon has an optimal view of the surgical field. Excessive suction isavoided, however. Typically, the suction ranges from about 30 inches ofmercury (Hg) to about 45 inches of Hg. The first end of the extensiontube is in communication with the holding chamber to enable the liquidthat flows into the tubular member and through the extension tube to becollected in the holding chamber. The holding chamber may be a bottle ata remote location, or a plastic collection bag taped to the body of thepatient.

[0011] This invention also includes a method of removing during surgeryliquid from the surface of an eyeball of a patient with the eyelids ofthe patient open. This method includes:

[0012] (a) placing a tubular member having a plurality of spacedopenings therein on the surface of the eyeball adjacent one eyelid, saidtubular member having an aspiration port therein and a length thatenables the tubular member to fit into the open eye, and

[0013] (b) placing the aspiration port in communication with a source ofsuction through an extension tube connected to the aspiration port todraw the liquid into the tubular member through the openings, the liquidexiting the extension tube at a remote location.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0014] Some embodiments of this invention, illustrating all itsfeatures, will now be discussed in detail. These embodiments depict thenovel and non-obvious eye aspiring device and method of this inventionas shown in the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrativepurposes only. These drawings include the following figures (Figs.),with like numerals indicating like parts:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the eye aspiringdevice of this invention inserted into the open eye of a patient.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 2A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG.1.

[0018]FIG. 3 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the eye aspiringdevice of this invention connected to a holding chamber.

[0019]FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3A-3A of FIG.3.

[0020]FIG. 4 is a plan view of a third embodiment of the eye aspiringdevice of this invention having a pair of tubular branches showing onlyof branch inserted into the open eye of a patient.

[0021]FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS OF THIS INVENTION

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first embodiment of thisinvention, the eye aspirating device 10, comprises a flexible tubularmember 12, preferably a transparent or translucent plastic looped tubemade of a silicone material such as, for example, a siliconizedelastomer. The tubular member 12 has an oval shaped section 12 a thatfits into an open eye 14 of a patient adjacent the eyelids 14 a and 14 band a hollow extension tube 12 b in communication with the oval shapedsection. The posterior surface 12 c of the oval shaped section 12 a issubstantially flat and the anterior surface 12 d is substantiallyconvex. The flat surface 12 c is snug against the surface 14 c of theeyeball 14 in close contact with the eye's conjunctiva. The flatness ofthe posterior surface 12 c aids in stabilizing the device 10 duringsurgery. A solid T-shaped flange or tab 16 is attached to the ovalshaped section 12 a. This tab 16 is placed at the medial canthus of theskin surface next to the eyeball 14 to stabilize the aspirating device10 during surgery. There are grooves 18 a and 18 b on each side of theleg 16 a of the tab 16 that enable the surgeon to split the oval shapedsection 12 a into two branches. Along the extension tube 12 b areadditional tabs 20 and 22 also used to stabilize the device 10. Tape(not shown) may be used to attach the tabs 16, 20 and 22 to thepatient's skin nearby the eyeball 14.

[0023] The size of the oval shaped section 12 a is important. Its lengthis approximately equal that of the width of the patient's eye so thatthis section fits into the open eye with each side A and B snug againstthe formix or edge 14 d of each eyelid 14 a and 14 b. Typically, theoverall length of the oval shaped section 12 a is from about 25 to about28 mm. The circumference of the oval shaped section 12 a is from about 6cm to about 7.5 cm. The tube portion of the oval shaped section 12 a hasinside diameter d 1 of from about 0.305 mm to about 0.325 mm and anoutside diameter d2 of from about 0.635 mm to about 0.655 mm.

[0024] A series of spaced openings 24 a and 24 b are respectively alongthe inside of each side A and B of the oval shaped section 12 a. Thereare no openings in the flat posterior surface 12 c. Consequently, withthe aspirating device 10 positioned in the open eye as depicted, theopenings 24 a and 24 b face inward toward the cornea 14 e of the eye 14.These openings 24 a and 24 b may have different shapes such as circular,square, rectangular, oval, etc. Each opening 24 a and 24 b has adiameter d3 of from about 0.15 mm to about 0.18 mm and the number ofthese openings is from about 2 to about 3 per cm. Preferably, they aresubstantially equally spaced apart. These opening 24 a and 24 b may bealigned in a row or may be offset from one another.

[0025] The openings 24 a and 24 b are in communication with the hollowinterior 12 f of the oval shaped section 12 a. The extension tube 12 bhas one end D connected to this oval shaped section and an opposedterminal end E connected to a source of suction when the device 10 ispositioned in the open eye as illustrated. Any liquid that wouldotherwise collect on the surface 14 c of the eyeball 14 is pulledthrough the openings 24 a and 24 b into the hollow interior 12 f of theoval shaped section 12 a and flows through the extension tube 12 b outthe end E.

[0026] As depicted in FIG. 3, a second embodiment, the aspirating device30 similar to the device 10, employs a holding chamber 33 to collect theliquid flowing from the terminal end E of the extension tube 12 b. Thedevice 30 includes a plastic tube 32 having opposed open ends 32 a and32 b looped around and fitted respectively into open legs 34 a and 34 bof a Y connector 34. The end D of the extension tube 12 b fits into thethird leg 34 c of the Y connector 34. There are opening 36 along thelength of the tube 32 and their dimensions are substantially the same asthat of the openings 24 a and 24 b. This tube 32 has a circularcross-section as shown in FIG. 3A, but its dimensions are substantiallythe same as that of the oval shaped section 12 a.

[0027] The holding chamber 33 may be a bottle 33 a with a cap 33 bhaving a pair of holes 40 and 42 therein. The terminal end E of theextension tube 12 b passes through the hole 40. Another tube 44 has oneend 44 a seated in the hole 42 and another end 44 b connected to a pumpP that applies suction to the bottle 33 a. Preferably, the pump P has anumber of different settings that allow different levels of vacuum orsuction to be applied, preferably at a level of from 30 inches of Hg to45 inches of Hg. The silicone tube 32 is bent or otherwise manipulatedby twisting or bending it so that it is seated in an open eye like thedevice 10 and the terminal end E of the extension tube 12 b ispositioned inside the bottle 33 a. With the aspirating device 30 sopositioned, the application of suction to the bottle draws liquid on thesurface 14 c of the eyeball 14 through the opening 36 along the tube 32and through the extension tube 12 b to collect in the bottle 33 a. Theextension tube 12 b has a length of from about 120 cm to about 180 cm,and approximately the same inside and outside diameters as the tubeportion of the oval shaped section 12 a.

[0028] As depicted in FIGS. 4 and 5, a third embodiment, the aspiratingdevice 60 is shown positioned in an open eye. A pair of eyelid extenders62 and 64 shown in dotted lines hold the eyelids 14 a and 14 b apart.The device 60 uses a pair of branch tubes 66 and 68, each having aclosed distal end 66 a and 68 a and open proximal end 66 b and 68 b. Theopen proximal end 66 b and 68 b serve as aspiration ports and they arerespectively inserted into the open ends 34 a and 34 b of the Yconnector 34. The end D of the extension tube 12 b is connected to theend 34 c of the Y connector 34 and the other end E is connected directlyor indirectly to a source of suction.

[0029] Along these branch tubes 66 and 68 are openings 70 a and 70 b,respectively, having essentially of the same diameter and spacing as theopenings 24 a and 24 b. Each branch tube 66 and 68 has a length of fromabout 6 cm to about 7.5 cm, and these lengths are about equal. Thelength of the branch tubes 66 and 68 depends on the width of thepatient's eye. The branch tubes 66 and 68 of aspirating devices usedwith children will be shorter than those used with adults.

[0030] An advantage of using the aspirating device 60 is that only onebranch tube need be used. As shown in FIG. 4, the branch tube 66 ispositioned adjacent the edge 14 d of the eyelid 14 a and against thesurface 14 c of the eyeball. The application of suction to the open endE of the extension tube 12 b draws liquid on the surface 14 c of theeyeball 14 into the openings 70 a and through the hollow extension tube12 b. The other branch tube 68 is outside the eye away from the surface14 c of the eyeball 14 and not being used to remove liquid from thesurface 14 c of the eyeball 14.

[0031] All three embodiments of this invention are made of inexpensivematerials and are disposable.

SCOPE OF THE INVENTION

[0032] The above presents a description of the best mode contemplated ofcarrying out the present invention, and of the manner and process ofmaking and using it, in such full, clear, concise, and exact terms as toenable any person skilled in the art to which it pertains to make anduse this invention. This invention is, however, susceptible tomodifications and alternate constructions from that discussed abovewhich are fully equivalent. Consequently, it is not the intention tolimit this invention to the particular embodiments disclosed. On thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications and alternateconstructions coming within the spirit and scope of the invention asgenerally expressed by the following claims, which particularly pointout and distinctly claim the subject matter of the invention:

1. An aspirating device for removing liquid from the surface of aneyeball of a patient with the eyelids of the patient open, comprising atubular member having a predetermined length that enables said tubularmember to fit into the open eye and to rest on the surface of theeyeball adjacent one of the eyelids, said tubular member having at leastone opening therein allowing liquid on the surface to be drawn into thetubular member upon the application of suction to the tubular member,and an extension tube having a first end to be placed in communicationwith a source of suction and a second end attached to the tubular memberto enable liquid drawn into the tubular member upon the application ofsuction to flow from the tubular member and through the extension tube.2. The eye aspirating device of claim 1 where the tubular membercomprises a flexible plastic tube having a length that is substantiallyequal to the width of the eye of the patient, said tubular member havinga plurality of opening along said length.
 3. The eye aspirating deviceof claim 2 where the tubular member has a length of from 6 cm to 7.5 cmand an inside diameter of from 0.305 mm to 0.325 mm and an outsidediameter of from 0.635 mm to 0.655 mm.
 4. The eye aspirating device ofclaim 3 where the spaced openings each have a diameter of from 0.15 mmto 0.18 mm and the number of said openings is from 2 to 3 per cm, saidopening being substantially equally spaced apart.
 5. The eye aspiratingdevice of claim 4 where the extension tube comprises a flexible plastictube having a length of from 120 cm to 180 cm.
 6. The eye aspiratingdevice of claim 5 including a holding chamber in communication with thesource of suction, said first end of the extension tube being incommunication with the holding chamber to enable the liquid that flowsinto the tubular member and through the extension tube to be collectedin said holding chamber.
 7. An aspirating device for removing liquidfrom the surface of an eyeball of an open eye of a patient, comprising alooped tubular member shaped and sized to fit into the open eye and torest on the surface of the eyeball in a position to encircle a cornea ofthe eye and a portion of said surface surrounding the cornea, saidlooped tubular member having a plurality of spaced openings thereinthrough which liquid on the encircled portion of the surface is drawnupon the application of suction to the tubular member, and an extensiontube having a first end to be placed in communication with a source ofsuction and a second end attached to the looped tubular member and incommunication therewith to enable liquid drawn into the looped tubularmember upon the application of suction to flow from the looped tubularmember and through the extension tube.
 8. The eye aspirating device ofclaim 7 including a holding chamber in communication with the source ofsuction, said first end of the extension tube being in communicationwith the holding chamber to enable the liquid that flows into the loopedtubular member and through the extension tube to be collected in saidholding chamber.
 9. The eye aspirating device of claim 7 where thespaced openings face inward towards the cornea of the eye upon placementof the looped tubular member on the surface of the eyeball.
 10. The eyeaspirating device of claim 7 where the looped tubular member isflexible.
 11. The eye aspirating device of claim 7 where the loopedtubular member has a circumference of from 6 cm to 7.5 cm and comprisesa flexible silicone tube having an inside diameter of from 0.305 mm to0.325 mm and an outside diameter of from 0.635 mm to 0.655 mm.
 12. Theeye aspirating device of claim 7 where the looped tubular member has asubstantially flat side and a concave side having said openings therein,said flat side adapted to rest on the surface of the eyeball.
 13. Theeye aspirating device of claim 7 including at least one tab member thatassists in securing the device in place.
 14. The eye aspirating deviceof claim 7 where the looped tubular member is substantially oval shaped.15. The eye aspirating device of claim 7 where the extension tubecomprises a flexible plastic tube having a length of from 120 cm to 180cm.
 16. An aspirating device for removing liquid from the surface of aneyeball of an open eye of a patient, comprising a substantially ovalshaped, flexible tubular member sized to fit into the open eye and torest on the surface of the eyeball in a position to encircle a cornea ofthe eye and a portion of the eye surrounding the cornea, said tubularmember having a plurality of spaced openings therein facing inwardtowards the cornea of the eye upon placement of the tubular member onthe surface of the eyeball, the liquid on the encircled portion of theeyeball being drawn into the tubular member upon the application ofsuction to the tubular member, an extension tube having a first end tobe placed in communication with a source of suction and a second endattached to the tubular member and in communication therewith to enableliquid drawn into the tubular member upon the application of suction toflow from the tubular member and through the extension tube, and aholding chamber in communication with the source of suction, said firstend of the extension tube being in communication with the holdingchamber to enable the liquid that flows into the tubular member andthrough the extension tube to be collected in said holding chamber. 17.The eye aspirating device of claim 16 where the tubular member has acircumference of from 6 cm to 7.5 cm and comprises a flexible tubehaving an inside diameter of from 0.305 mm to 0.325 mm and an outsidediameter of from 0.635 mm to 0.655 mm.
 18. The eye aspirating device ofclaim 16 where the tubular member has a substantially flat side and aconcave side having said openings therein, said flat side resting on thesurface of the eyeball.
 19. The eye aspirating device of claim 16including at least one tab member that assists in securing the device inplace.
 20. The eye aspirating device of claim 16 where the extensiontube comprises a flexible silicone tube having a length of from 6 cm to7.5 cm.
 21. An aspirating device for removing liquid from the surface ofan eyeball of a patient with the eyelids of the patient open, comprisinga flexible tubular member having a first tubular branch with apredetermined length that enables said first tubular branch to fit intothe open eye and to rest on the surface of the eyeball adjacent oneeyelid and a second tubular branch with a predetermined length thatenables said second tubular branch to fit into the open eye and to reston the surface of the eyeball adjacent the other eyelid, each said firstand second tubular branch having a closed distal end and an openproximal end and a plurality of spaced openings therein along theirrespective lengths between the proximal ends and the distal ends, and anextension tube having a first end to be placed in communication with asource of suction and a second end in communication with the proximalends of the first and second tubular branches to enable liquid drawninto said branches upon the application of suction to flow from saidbranches and through the extension tube.
 22. The eye aspirating deviceof claim 21 where the length of each tubular branch is substantiallyequal to the width of the eye of the patient.
 23. The eye aspiratingdevice of claim 22 where the length of each tubular branch is from 6 cmto 7.5 cm and has an inside diameter of from 0.305 mm to 0.325 mm inchand an outside diameter of from 0.635 mm to 0.655 mm.
 24. The eyeaspirating device of claim 23 where the spaced openings in each tubularbranch each have a diameter of from 0.305 mm to 0.325 mm and the numberof said openings is from 2 to 3 per cm, said openings beingsubstantially equally spaced apart.
 25. The eye aspirating device ofclaim 24 where the extension tube comprises a flexible silicone tubehaving a length of from 120 cm to 180 cm.
 26. The eye aspirating deviceof claim 25 including a holding chamber in communication with the sourceof suction, said first end of the extension tube being in communicationwith the holding chamber to enable the liquid that flows into eachtubular branch and through the extension tube to be collected in saidholding chamber.
 27. The eye aspirating device of claim 21 where thespaced openings in each tubular branch face inward towards a cornea ofthe eye upon placement of the device on the surface of the eyeball. 28.The eye aspirating device of claim 21 including a holding chamber incommunication with the source of suction, said first end of theextension tube being in communication with the holding chamber to enablethe liquid that flows into the tubular member and through the extensiontube to be collected in said holding chamber.
 29. The eye aspiratingdevice of claim 21 where the first and second tubular branches areconnected by their respective proximal ends to 11 the second end of theextension tube to form a substantially Y configuration.
 30. The eyeaspirating device of claim 29 where the length of the first tubularbranch is substantially equal to the length of the second tubularbranch.
 31. The eye aspirating device of claim 21 where the source ofsuction is from 30 inches of Hg to 45 inches of Hg.
 32. A method ofremoving during surgery liquid from the surface of an eyeball of apatient with the eyelids of the patient open, including the steps of (a)placing a tubular member having a plurality of spaced openings thereinon the surface of the eyeball adjacent one eyelid, said tubular memberhaving an aspiration port therein and a length that enables said tubularmember to fit into the open eye, and (b) placing the aspiration port incommunication with a source of suction through an extension tubeconnected to the aspiration port to draw said liquid into the tubularmember through the openings, said liquid exiting the extension tube at aremote location.
 33. The method of claim 32 where the length of thetubular member is substantially equal to the width of the eye of thepatient.
 34. The method of claim 33 where the tubular member comprises aflexible silicone tube having a length of from 6 cm to 7.5 cm and aninside diameter of from 0.305 mm to 0.325 mm and an outside diameter offrom 0.635 mm to 0.655 mm.
 35. The method of claim 33 where the spacedopenings each have a diameter of from 0.305 mm to 0.325 mm and thenumber of said openings is from 2 to 3 per cm, said opening beingsubstantially equally spaced apart.
 36. The method of claim 35 where theextension tube comprises a flexible silicone tube having a length offrom 120 cm to 180 cm.
 37. The method of claim 36 where the remotelocation comprises a holding chamber in communication with the source ofsuction, said extension tube having a terminal end in communication withthe holding chamber to enable the liquid that flows into the tubularmember and through the extension tube to be collected in said holdingchamber.
 38. The method of claim 32 where the source of suction is from30 inches of Hg to 45 inches of Hg.
 39. The method of claim 32 where thetubular member comprises a pair of flexible tubular branches, each withspaced openings therein.
 40. The method of claim 39 where only onetubular branch is placed on the surface of the eyeball adjacent oneeyelid.
 41. The method of claim 39 where one tubular branch is placed onthe surface of the eyeball adjacent one eyelid and the other tubularbranch is placed on the surface of the eyeball adjacent the othereyelid.
 42. The method of claim 32 where extension tube in nearby andextends outward from a corner of the eye.
 43. A method of removingduring surgery liquid from the surface of an eyeball of a patient withthe eyelids of the patient open, including the steps of (a) providing aflexible tubular member having an aspiration port therein, a length offrom 6 cm to 7.5 cm, an inside diameter of from 0.305 mm to 0.325 mm, anoutside diameter of from 0.635 mm to 0.655 mm, and a plurality of spacedopenings therein along said length, (b) inserting the flexible tubularmember into the open eye, including (i) positioning said tubular memberagainst the surface of the eyeball and snugly against an inner edge ofthe open eyelid with the spaced opening oriented inward away from theeyelid, and (ii) bending said tubular member to conform the shapethereof to the curvature of said inner edge of the eyelid, (c) placingthe aspiration port in communication with a source of suction through aflexible extension tube having a first end connected to the aspirationport and a second end in communication with the source of suction todraw said liquid from the surface into the tubular member through theopenings, said liquid exiting the extension tube at said second end,said second end being connected to a holding chamber that is incommunication with the source of suction to enable the liquid that flowsinto the tubular member and through the extension tube to be collectedin said holding chamber.
 44. The method of claim 43 where the length ofthe tubular member is substantially equal to the width of the eye of thepatient.
 45. The method of claim 44 where the spaced openings each havea diameter of from 0.15 mm to 0.18 mm and the number of said openings isfrom 2 to 3 per cm, said opening being substantially equally spacedapart.
 46. The method of claim 43 where the extension tube comprises aflexible tube having a length of from 6 cm to 7.5 cm.
 47. The method ofclaim 43 where the tubular member comprises a pair of flexible tubularbranches, each with spaced openings therein, where one tubular branch isadapted to be placed on the surface of the eyeball adjacent one eyelidand the other tubular branch is adapted to be placed on the surface ofthe eyeball adjacent the other eyelid.
 48. The method of claim 43 wherethe source of suction is from 30 inches of Hg to 45 inches of Hg.